Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-06-17
SHARP's TRIAL
The First Witness-Sharp Falls Asleep
and Interrups the Proceedings With
His Snoring.
NEW YORK. June l6.

Ihe assistant district attorney resumed
Thursday, his opening address to the jnry in
the Sharp case.
Sharp fell asleep while the prosecuting at
torney told about the meeting of the Broad
way Surface railroad directors, and suored
so loud that Judge Nelson had to snake him
up Nicolls remarks occupied five hours aud
a half.
Ex-Aldermsn Radolph Fullgrsff was the
first witness called for the prosecution. He
said be didn't know the defendent Sharp
The FIRST time | saw him was before the in
vestigsting committee LAST year. In the
month OF June, 1884, promised to vote for
the petition of the Broadway Surface railroad
for money. / made the promise in Alderman
McLaughlin's house. This was between 8
and p. NJ, in the parlor.
There were = number of other aldermen
present-,hirteen of US all together. /,
reached McLsughlin's house about 8 p. NJ,
alone. l Was let in by Mclaughlin. The
first thing done was to get someone to pre-
side; next thing was the consideration of
granting Of the franchise. Alderman Jaehne
stated that the Cable Co had offered $3.50,
600, halt to be in cash and the other halt in
bonds, but that Broadway Surface offered
$3.50, 900. all in cash.
He said that he would not advise the &C.
ceptance of the cable company's offer, be.
cause bonds might be traced. The discus.
sion was general and after this discussion,
the question Of giving the franchise to Broad
way Surface road was put to vote and all
voted aye
Then came the question of division of
money, and 200 was finally decided on
as the amount each of US was to receive.
This was decided by vote; had another meet
ing at McLaughlin's house in June; went
alone and was let in by Mclaughlin.
At this meeting, which was held in the
same room, Alderman Cleary was absent
All had assembled shortly after three O'clock
Mclaughlin was elected chairman, after
which Duffy proposed John Keenan, as stake
holder of the fund, and McCabe proposed
Billy Maloney.
1t was thought that Keenan, was more used
to handling that sum of money than Ma
loney. and it was settled by vote that Keenan,
should be the man. 1t was also determined
at this meeting that Maloney's business should
be to look after other members not in the
thirteen constituted. The majority of the
board voted for the franchise on Aug. 5, 1884
The examination of Fullgratf continued.
He testified as follows: 81. went from the
office up stairs to the Aldermanic Chamber.
There were present in the chamber a num-
Der of aldermen who were talking together.
lie DUdTu came 10 OrUer ana Alderman
Waite took the chair. An order dissolving
injunctions was laid before the board by
Maloney. Then we voted on the resolution
granting franchise. l voted for it as did all
the other aldermen present. The session
lasted half an hour. Before election dsy in
1884, one evening in October, a meeting was
held at McLaughlin's by l3 aldermen. At
the meeting the question was asked if any of
them were to run again for office and De-
Lacey suggested that if they were they
should have $4,000. The idea was that they
would be renominated and each OF the Is
were to get $4,000. DeLacey stated that in
consequence OF the trouble had by the road
and the large amounts paid to the lawyers it
would be necessary to reduce the amounts
each was to get to Sl700. This was agreed
to sitter considerable discussion. l received
$4,000, and in January or February, 1885,
another $4,000 ir 500, $500 and $1,000 bills.
Mr.. Nicolls-What did you do with the
money!
Fulgraf-I loaned $1,000 of the money to
Mr.. Comrick. l gave it to MIR. Comrcks
book keeper. | received II note in return for
it. Mr.. Brown, the book keeper is in court.
(Witness pointed him out) l paid the money
in two lnstallments, $1,000 in one and $1,000
in the other. My bank is the Park bank
where | had my business account of Bald
win & Fullgratf and my private account.
Twas present at the session of the Senate
commission and that was where first saw
the defendant.
At my house spent $1,000 of the money
for different purposes. | cannot tell exactly
what.
Stickney objected to witness telling why he
loaned $4,000 to Comrick, as going too far
into collateral matters. He objected to all
1aI
the court admitted it.
Fullgraff trpped himself several times in
his cross examination by Stickney. He swore
that he got only ten thousand dollars for his
vote for the Broadway franchise, but when
shown that at the second McQuade trial he
swore he got eighteen thousand, he said 'If
testified that way before | must have mis-
understood the question and made a mistake"
Witness testified that he went into the 'com-
bine" in order to secure better success with
general orders in the board of constituents,
who advised him TO enter some combination.
He remarked that the thirteen who net at
McLaughln's house, in talking the matter
over, agreed that as the community was CO.
ing to benefit by the Broadway road they
might as well make dollar.
When Stickney asked the witness if he
considered the meeting at the Fulton street
He said he received the second $4,000 in JAN
uary or February, 1885.
| Counsel reminded him that he had previ-
ously sworn that it was in December, 1884
Fulgraff had again to plead a mistake. The
nformer admitted that he knew he was COM
mitting perjury in the statements made be-
fore the Senate committee and up to the time
of the first McQusde trial.
| "Did it occur to you." asked Stickney,
''that these people would be as willing to pay
money into the city treasury as to pay black
mail to the aldermen"
| '.No, sir"
"Do You mean that?'
Yes, sir. These men would rather pay
money to the aldermen than lawfully into the
city treasury, every time. That is my solemn
belief"
Fullgraf once more denied that he had
ever raised his right hand and swore to God
at the Sehnorer Club, that he was innocent
of accepting bribe. He swore falsely before
the Senate committee to save his associstes
and himself.
The witness became excited at being ques-
toned on this point and with eyes dlated
half rose in the chair and hoarsely uttered,
..If said it, it was true, but never said it,
never"
On redirect, Ncoll brought out the fact
that the combine had agreed to stand by each
other before the Senate investigation.
Fullgraff lost self control for second time